“We tried to escape a month ago. He caught us on the highway. The accident happened because I was running from him.”
Rachel swallowed.
“Has he always been violent?”
Natalie closed her eyes.
“No… not at first. But when I realized what he was capable of, it was already too late.”
Rachel took a deep breath.
“I’ll make sure he never hurts either of you again.”
Emma looked at her with tearful eyes.
“Do you promise?”
Rachel held her hands.
“I promise.”
Later that day the police found something crucial.
Three years earlier, a missing child report had been filed for Emma Carter.
Mother: Natalie Carter.
The case had never been solved.
Which meant Marcus had kept the child illegally for three years—and likely prevented Natalie from reporting him.
When Marcus returned with a birth certificate bearing his name, officers detained him for questioning.
Rachel stood firm.
“She isn’t your daughter.”
“I raised her for three years!” Marcus shouted.
“Against her mother’s will.”
He lunged forward angrily, but the officers restrained him and led him away.
“This isn’t over,” he yelled.
Rachel looked him straight in the eyes.
“No. But it might be for you.”
Back in the hospital room, Emma asked quietly,
“Is he gone?”